Senior army official nabbed with 500kg of mbanje

An Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) wing commander based in Manyame Airbase has been arrested for  illegally dealing in dangerous drugs after being found in possession of more than 500kg of dagga.

Wing Commander Luke Mupesa, who is being jointly charged alongside Edmond Tanyanyiwa Tsiga, George Batsirai Tsiga and Margaret Makore, is set to appear in court next week for continuation of trial after the State closed its case yesterday.

According to the State, the four were arrested on February 20 this year after being waylaid on their way from Mudzi aboard an AFZ truck with the contraband stashed in 90kg bags.

It is alleged that when police, acting on a tip-off, stopped the vehicle, a CAM Rhino truck Mupesa was driving at Gozi business centre, they recovered 547kg of dagga.

Allegations against the four are that on the day in question, Detective Sergeant Mabasaashe Manhondo, Detective Constables Nqobile Vuma and Vengai Runesu received information to the effect that there were some drug traffickers who were loading dagga at Nyamhasa business centre in Mudzi.

The court heard that acting on the information, detectives waylaid the accused persons near Gozi business centre.

At around 10pm, the detectives stopped a military green CAM Rhino with registration numbers 348 MP 09 belonging to the AFZ driven by Mupesa, the court heard.

It is alleged the detectives then searched the motor vehicle and recovered 15,90kg bags of dagga, one travelling bag and four small sacks also containing dagga.

The four accused persons were then arrested and the dagga seized by the police while the vehicle was impounded and taken to CID Nyamapanda.

Mupesa is being represented by Allen Moyo.

Comments